#1: A mirage (“inferior mirage”) is formed when the air gets gradually cooler as the height above the ground increases. This has led to many thirsty travelers in deserts seeing a lake of “water”; or drivers on a highway seeing a “water or oil” spill ahead, where there is none. Discuss what would happen if the air grows gradually warmer as the height is increased? This often happens over bodies of water or ice/snow-covered ground. This effect is called “Looming” or a “superior mirage.” (Hint: Cooler air will have a refractive index that is higher than warmer air. Use a diagram/drawing to help with the visualization of layers of different temperature air and to explain this effect.)
#1: A mirage (“inferior mirage”) is formed when the air gets gradually cooler as the height above the ground increases. This has led to many thirsty travelers in deserts seeing a lake of “water”; or drivers on a highway seeing a “water or oil” spill ahead, where there is none. Discuss what would happen if the air grows gradually warmer as the height is increased? This often happens over bodies of water or ice/snow-covered ground. This effect is called “Looming” or a “superior mirage.” (Hint: Cooler air will have a refractive index that is higher than warmer air. Use a diagram/drawing to help with the visualization of layers of different temperature air and to explain this effect.)
Trending now
This is a popular solution!
Step by step
Solved in 2 steps with 2 images
